Make the Bandits Tremble, Mr. Robespierre!

Joseph was somewhat surprised to hear this—he had previously seen reports of intimidation and attacks against the Tax Bureau in the Intelligence Bureau's reports, but he hadn't expected it to escalate to such a serious level.

These Tax Farmers are incredibly audacious!

His first reaction was to have the Intelligence Bureau and the police cooperate to teach the attackers a lesson in the power of the violent institutions, but then he thought of something else and frowned.

Who were Robespierre and his subordinates?

That's a "France IRS" that we built ourselves!

In later years, the United States IRS was able to arrest mob bosses that even the FBI couldn't handle, take away Member of Parliament in public, and arrest ruthless figures who used the internet to arrest keyboard warriors.

And now, the France IRS is acting like a wronged wife, being bullied by a group of thugs and coming to me for help...

How can this be allowed?

It's important to understand that in this era that champions the law of the jungle, incidents of assaulting Taxation officials and organizing mass tax resistance are commonplace. If Taxation authorities don't have a certain "fierce" spirit, they simply won't be able to collect taxes.

This could be a good opportunity for the Tax Bureau to gain experience.

Joseph, having considered this, looked up at Robespierre: "What are your plans regarding these vile outlaws?"

Robespierre immediately said, "I would like to request additional guards for the Tax Bureau in various locations..."

Joseph raised his hand to interrupt him, "There won't be any guards, but I can issue all Taxation collectors two Pistol and standard military swords. You can even request cannons if necessary."

Currently, the standard equipment for the Tax Bureau is one Charleville 1776 Flintlock Gun per officer, along with batons, shields, and other gear. While this firepower is already quite formidable, it clearly doesn't give Taxation officials enough confidence.

Robespierre seemed a little taken aback. "Your Highness, but we're facing assassins..."

"So what? You're Taxation officials!" Joseph raised his voice. "You're Taxation officials who have received rigorous training at the Paris Police Academy and have the authority to search, interrogate, and arrest!"

"Whether they are assassins, gangsters, or smugglers, they should tremble at the mere mention of your names, not dare to threaten or attack you. Assaulting Taxation official is a serious crime; you've been issued guns, so you must use them wisely!"

Upon hearing this, Robespierre felt a surge of fervor coursing through his body. The Crown Prince was right. He was a dignified Taxation collector, dedicated to serving the country and its people, yet he had been intimidated by a group of thugs—it was utterly disgraceful! Had his resolve and conviction vanished in the face of danger?!

Joseph noticed the change in his eyes and continued to encourage him:

"You represent justice, you represent all of France, and you possess enough power to let those lawless criminals know your might. Let them have nightmares whenever they think of the Taxation collector's name!"

"Go ahead. Just tell me what weapons you need and I'll issue them to you immediately, but not as bodyguards."

Robespierre immediately stood at attention and shouted, "Yes, Your Highness!"

After leaving the Tuileries Palace, he immediately returned to his office, tore up the speech he had prepared to reassure his subordinates, and then rewrote it based on what His Crown Prince had just said.

Not long after Robespierre left, Brienne arrived at Joseph's office, bowing excitedly and saying, "Your Highness, Brandt came to me with a draft agreement, proposing to raise the Tax Farming Income to 540 million Franc and waive some trade-related taxes, and said he could sign it immediately. However, as you instructed, I dismissed him."

Joseph smiled upon hearing this. The Tax Farmers Guild of threats and inducements, intimidating government Taxation officials on one hand while offering generous Tax Farming Income agreements on the other.

However, judging from their actions, their method of "fictitious revenue collection" has clearly been effective, and the confidence that Tax Farmers had in controlling the government by relying on Tax Farming Income has begun to crumble.

Then the next step, which involves differentiating the Tax Farmers Guild, can begin.

He gave Brienne some instructions, and then summoned Fouche, ordering the Intelligence Bureau to investigate the forces behind those who attacked the Tax Bureau.

These attackers were mostly sent by the Tax Farmers. If we could find something to use against them, the resistance to tax reform would be reduced even further.

Versailles Palace.

In the Reception Room of the Crown Prince's Palace, Charles, one of the Tax Farmer Magnates, kept looking towards the door, his expression quite anxious.

His assets in France were temporarily seized three days ago, with the High Court explaining that the Intelligence Bureau was conducting an investigation into him.

Several of his banks and lending funds have been affected, and some shareholders have already received the news and are anxiously asking him what happened.

Charles tried every connection he had, but to no avail.

Finally, after spending several thousand Franc, a Captain from the Intelligence Bureau revealed to him that the investigation was being conducted at the request of His Crown Prince.

So he rushed here again.

It took more than an hour before the Crown Prince finally returned.

Charles quickly rose and stepped forward to bow respectfully, pondering how to subtly inquire about the seizure of his assets, but the Crown Prince spoke first, "You've come to inquire about the Intelligence Bureau's investigation into you, haven't you?"

Charles was taken aback, then immediately nodded. "Yes, Your Highness. I have always been doing legitimate business. The Intelligence Bureau's unwarranted seizure of my assets will cause me enormous losses."

"A legitimate business?" Joseph deliberately drew out his words. "You seem to have forgotten something."

"I swear, Your Highness, all my businesses are legal!"

"It seems I need to remind you of something," Joseph said, his face darkening. "You have provided long-term financial support to the Southern Netherlands Rebels, without interruption even during our army's battles against them."

Charleston alarmed. France had declared war on the Southern Netherlands Rebels, which, according to the Crown Prince, was a serious crime of aiding the enemy.

He waved his hands repeatedly, saying, "Your Highness, that's absolutely impossible. I always invest in the King; I would never be interested in the meager profits of the rebels."

"Yeah?"

Joseph gestured for Eman to fetch a document, which he then examined, saying, "Your Charles-Boughton Bank in the Southern Netherlands provided three loans to the rebel group last year and helped them complete dozens of fund transfers with Netherlands and Bank of England."

Charles's eyes widened. "This... this is absolutely impossible!"

Joseph simply tossed the documents to him. "Take a look for yourself."

Charles immediately wrote on it: Charles-Boughton Bank, Brussels branch, October 21, loan of 37,000 Livre to Helios Steel Company...

Charles-Boughton Bank's Ghent branch borrowed Livre from the Ghent City Hall on December 1st...

There are more records of loans and financial transactions later on.